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U.S. Department of Energy
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Research program on reduced combustion chamber heat loss effects on alternative fuel combustion

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6776499

A research program was conducted to determine the effects of thermal barriers in the combustion chamber of a diesel engine on the combustion and emissions of selected alternative fuels. Comparison of steady state fuel economy, exhaust emissions, and combustion data of heat insulated, baseline water-cooled, and high compression ratio engines were made using three fuels. Fuels believed to be representative of the year 2000 fuel were selected for the study. In fact, the light cycle oil fuel used was similar to CAPE.32 fuel (No. 6). Ceramic coatings and solid ceramic inserts were used to insulate the combustion chamber of the heat insulated, uncooled engine. Fuel economy and NOx emissions were generally lower for the heat insulated, uncooled engine than for the baseline engine and high compression water-cooled engine. Light load hydrocarbons were lower for the high compression ratio engine than for those of the baseline engine; however, hydrocarbon emissions for the heat insulated engine were higher than those of the baseline engine over the complete range of engine operating conditions tested. Heat insulating the combustion chamber and operating the water-cooled engine at elevated intake air temperature and high compression ratio reduced ignition delay and premixed combustion while increasing the amount of diffusion combustion. Further optimization of the combustion chamber, air motion, and the injection system of the heat insulated, uncooled engine may result in additional reductions in exhaust emissions not observed during this study. 59 figs., 2 tabs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI (USA). Engine Research Dept.
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6776499
Report Number(s):
ORNL/Sub-87-95918/1; ON: DE89001316
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English